Somebody Told Me Read Online Free

professional standards, the department that policed the police officers, and I had no interest in doing so but now I’d have no choice.
    Ackroyd continued. ‘The whole purpose of a dedicated source unit is to make certain that we have a
sterile corridor
to all of our informants.’ He paused and drew a hand in the air. ‘But you know that of course.’
    ‘There must have been prosecutors involved.’ Until her intervention, Lydia had sat silently staring at Ackroyd.
    He started to nod. ‘Of course. Everyone linked to the supergrass deal is mentioned in the file.
    ‘We’ll need—’
    Ackroyd finished my sentence in a neutral tone. ‘Full financial checks on everyone associated with the case and full background checks. I can tell you now, John. It wasn’t anybody in my team. They are
one hundred per cent
safe. Nobody would sell Bevard out. Nobody.’
    I drew a hand over the buff folder on the table. But somebody
had
sold him out. As well as investigating fellow officers there would be lawyers too.
    ‘I’ll need the original file from the investigation into Oakley’s murder.’
    ‘Why?’
    Ackroyd’s reply annoyed me. He had promised complete cooperation and yet in the same conversation challenged me.
    ‘I’ll run this investigation the way I please. We’ll collect the file this afternoon.’
    ‘You know full well I can’t tell you where the DSU is based.’
    I leant forward on the desk. ‘Your unit is compromised from top to bottom. So you can forget the petty protocols about keeping your address secret from the rest of us ordinary plain clothes officers.’
    Ackroyd glared at me and paused. ‘I’ll deliver the papers personally.’
    ‘I need to explain this to my team and you’re staying.’ I stood up and paced out into the Incident Room.
    ‘I really don’t think …’ Ackroyd protested.
    A photograph of Bevard was already pinned to the middle of the board. I turned to face Wyn and Jane, unease creasing their faces. Lydia stood behind them alongside Ackroyd who had his arms folded. I could see the incredulity on the faces of Wyn and Jane when I explained that we’d have to investigate the DSU. And Crown Prosecution lawyers. ‘Detective Inspector Ackroyd here has given us his assurance that there will be full cooperation from his team.’
    Ackroyd mumbled his agreement.
    ‘Where do we start, boss?’ Wyn said.
    ‘At the beginning. All the usual checks, bank accounts, family etc… Any links to Walsh or anyone who may have worked other cases involved with him and his family.’
    Ackroyd made to leave. I turned to him. ‘Malcolm. One more thing. Who was the sergeant on the Oakley case?’
    He stopped by the door and turned to face me. ‘Dave Hobbs.’

Chapter 4
     
    A single red horizontal barrier guarded the main entrance to HMP Grange Hall. Adapted as an open prison after the end of the Second World War from an RAF base, it had no fences or guards patrolling the perimeter. Occasionally a prisoner found the temptation to abscond too great and publicity would follow. After identifying ourselves to a guard engrossed in the morning’s newspaper we walked over to the administration block. I pressed the intercom and stood waiting. It reminded me of the black-and-white war films featuring men with clipped accents flying off into the sunset in Spitfires and Hurricanes.
    The intercom crackled and I introduced Lydia and myself. There was a bleeping sound and I pushed open the door. A woman with an intense stare and clothes that my mother would have thought fashionable led us through corridors covered with lino that sparkled from recent cleaning.
    Outside a door with
Governor
printed on a large metal plaque, she stopped and knocked. After a shout from inside she pushed open the door and led us inside. Governor James stood in front of her desk, and reached out a hand. ‘Amanda James, governor.’ We shook hands and she waved us to a round table in one corner of the room. I had expected the woman who’d